Piano music-desk.



No. 733,724. PATENTBD JULY 14, 1190s,

H. MALLBBRE. PIANO MUSIC DESK.

UNITED STATES Patented July 14, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

PIANO MUSIC-DESK.

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Patent No. 733,724, dated July 14, 1903.

Application filed April l0. 1903.

To (LZZ whom, t may concern;

Be it known that I, HENRY MALLEBRE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Piano Music-Desks,of which the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in piano music-desks, and particularly to that portion of the desk which supports the music.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of hinging the support to the desk, whereby when the support is swung up and not in use the hinges by which the support is pivoted to the desk are hidden from view and the support will have the appearance of a molding.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved device for operating the hinged support to lower the saine.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of a portion vof one end of a piano provided with my improved device, which latter is shown as in the closed position when not in use. Fig. 2 is a similar view of a piano and illustrates the desk in the inclined position and the improved support lowered and ready for use. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of a portion of the desk and support and illustrates the position of the parts when the supportis closed. Fig. 4 is a similar view and illustrates the first step in operating the support to lower the latter; and Fig. is a similar view, but shows the support in the lowered position.

In the drawings, A designates an ordinary piano-casing, which is provided at the front with the ordinary opening or recess a, in which latter the desk B is pivoted in any suitable manner. This desk performs the usual functions of desks and is adapted to' be arranged in a vertical and also in an inclinedA position, and at the bottom the desk is provided with a longitudinal ledge (i, which extends from one end of the desk to the other. This ledge l) is provided on its upper side with a cavity c and on its lower side with a cavity d, and these two cavities are substantially in a vertical line with each other and are connected by a passage c. A stem f extends through said passage c and is provided at one Serial No- 151978. (No model.)

end with a head c', and at the other end said stem is provided with a button d'. The head c is adapted to fit into the cavity c, while the button d takes in the bottom cavity d. f

One leaf, g', of a hinge g is secured to the top surface of the bottom ledge l) and projects beyond the edge of said ledge, while the other leaf, g2, of said hinge is secured to the longitudinal supporting-strip 7L. This supporting-strip h is provided at one edge with a bead 7L', which projects substantially at right angles from the top surface of said strip when the latter is swung down.

It will be seen that in securing the hingeleatl g2 to the supporting-strip the same is set back or away from the end h2, so that said edge will project beyond the hinge and hide the same when the supporting-strip is swung up, as shown in Figs. l and 3. It will also be seen that when the supporting-strip is lowered, as in Fig. 5, the projecting end h2 of the strip takes beneath the leaf g/ of the hinge, and the latter serves as a stop and extra support to hold the su pportin g-strip in a horizontal position.

The operation is simple and as follows: Supposing the desk and supporting-strip to be closed and in the position shown in Figs. l and 3, in order to lower the supporti 11g-strip or swing it down ready for use the operator will place the thumb beneath the button dvl and push same upward, as illustrated by broken lines in Fig. 4f. This operation will cause the stemf and head c to move vertically, and during such movement the head c will contact with the bead h of the supporting-strip h and swing the latter away from the desk far enough to permit the fingers to grasp the same, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 4.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A piano-desk having a bottom ledge, in combination with a supporting-strip pivoted with respect to said ledge and adapted to be swung over on top of the latter, and a stem movable vertically through said ledge for the purpose set forth.

2. A piano-desk having a projecting bottom ledge provided with cavities on opposite sides thereof in combination with a stem movable through said ledge and having a head and it hutten on opposite ends Which take in said eftVitieS,'ztnd :t supporting-strip pivoted to said ledge and adapted to be folded over on top thereof and over said eztvities.

3. A piano-desk having :L bottomriledge in YVCombination with zt supporting-strip, and a hinge7 one leaf of which is secured to the top surface of Said bottom ledge and projects beyond the edge thereof :md the other leaf of sftid hinge being secured to said suliporting- Ystrip and set Vhaelt or away from fits edge whereby when the Supportng-strip is folded over on top of the bottoniY ledge one end of the Strip will project beyend and eover the hinge. i

In testimony whereof I ttl'lix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

I-IENRSLT MALLEBRE.

Witnesses:

CHARLES B. MANNgJr., G. FERDINAND VoGT. 

